Andrew Gillum, the former Democratic nominee for governor of Florida who lost to Ron DeSantis in the 2018 race, has been arrested on drug charges in Alabama. The 46-year-old, once one of the state's most prominent Democratic figures, is now facing accusations tied to drug possession following a traffic stop.
According to police, Gillum was pulled over and is accused of possessing three grams of methamphetamine, as well as marijuana and drug equipment. Officers say they found the drugs after stopping his vehicle, leading to the charges against him.
The arrest marks another chapter in a series of legal difficulties for Gillum, who rose to national attention during his closely watched 2018 campaign for the Florida governorship. His narrow loss to DeSantis was one of the most closely followed races in the country that year.
It is not the first time Gillum has faced scrutiny over drugs. In 2020, after his election loss, Miami Beach police said they found him in a South Beach hotel room where crystal methamphetamine was also present.
No charges were filed against Gillum in connection with that 2020 incident. At the time, the episode drew significant attention given his high profile and his recent run for one of the most powerful offices in Florida.
The latest arrest in Alabama again places Gillum in the spotlight, this time over accusations he was in possession of methamphetamine and marijuana. Authorities are handling the case through the local justice system as the former candidate faces the new charges.